Photographic processing apparatus



March 7, 1957 R. M. BRiBER 3,307,468

' PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS I Filed June 5, 1964 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

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March 7, 1967 R. M. BRIBER 3,307,468 V PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Julie 5, 1964 -2 Sheets-Sheet I 96 I Q 8 F'|G.3

ll l United States Patent C) 3,307,468 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS Robert M. Briber, Lexington, Mass, assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 3, 1964, Ser. No. 372,221 13 Claims. (Cl. 9589) This invention relates to photographic apparatus for exposing successive areas of photosensitive sheet material and treating the exposed areas with a processing liquid.

In the copending U.S. patent applications of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 368,622 and Edwin H. Land et al., Serial No. 368,621, both filed May 19, 1964, there are disclosed photographic processes in which an area of a photosensitive image-recording sheet is exposed to form an image and thereafter treated with a liquid applied to one side of the sheet to produce a visible image in the exposed area. The sheet material employed in the process generally comprises a support, such as paper and a layer (or layers) including a light-sensitive imagerecording material, such as a silver halide emulsion, and a translucent outer layer permeable to the liquid processing composition for supporting a visible image, e.g., silver, formed by diffusion transfer of image-forming substances from the light-sensitive image-recording material. The processing liquid is distributed in contact with the outer (translucent) layer of the exposed area of the sheet for permeation into the light-sensitive material to react therewith to form an image-wise distribution of imageforming substances which are transferred by diffusion through the translucent material to form a visible image which may be viewed as a positive print. The processing liquid employed is aqueous and alkaline and preferably includes a silver halide developer.

This process is particularly adapted to the production of copies of originals, such as documents, printed matter and the like, and apparatus for copying documents by this process is disclosed in the copending U.S. patent application of Richard Chen et al., Serial No. 368,620, filed May 19, 1964. Apparatus of this type includes means for applying a predetermined amount of the processing liquid uniformly to a succession of exposed areas of the sheet material, this being made more diflicult because the liquid is highly corrosive, is subject to aerial oxidation, and may be applied to successive areas at interval-s of indeterminate duration.

An object of the invention is to provide, in photographic apparatus of the character described, novel and improved means for applying a predetermined uniform amount of highly corrosive liquid to one surface of successive areas of sheet material. v

Other objects of the invention are: to provide apparatus of the type described in which the liquid is confined to 'a container and an applicator member for contacting the sheet material to apply the liquid thereto, and the liquid and the applicator member are enclosed within the container when not in use so as to prevent deterioration, e.g., evaporation and aerial oxidation, of the liquid; to provide apparatus as described constructed to operate in such a way that nothing outside of the container except the sheet material contacts or is connected with the applicator member; and to provide apparatus as described in which the applicator member is a substantially independent element immersed within the liquid in a closed container when not in use and is raised from the container into contact With the sheet material by magnetic means which do not touch the applicator member.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus 3,307,468 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional, elevational view of photographic apparatus embodying the invention, the section being taken substantially midway between the sides of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a component of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views of the liquid applicator device of the invention illustrating the operation of the device, the section being taken intermediate the ends of the device; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 2.

The invention is particularly concerned wit-h apparatus for treating a succession of exposed areas of a combination photosensitive image-recording and image-receiving sheet to form visible positive prints in the exposed and processed areas. As noted in the aforementioned copending Land applications, a processing liquid is applied to one surface of each exposed area following exposure thereof. An example of the composition of a processing liquid suitable for this purpose is as follows: Water, cc. 8400 Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (medium viscosity type), gms 30 Sodium sulfite, gms. 675 Sodium hydroxide, grns Potassium thiosulfate, gms. 207 4-amino-2,S-dimethylphenol, gms. 180

This aqueous and highly alkaline processing liquid is required to be applied to successive areas of a combined photosensitive and image-receiving sheet comprising, for example, a paper support having thereon a layer of a lightsensitive silver halide emulsion and an outer layer comprising a translucent material such as finely divided titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, etc., dispersed in a suitable permeable colloidal carrier or matrix such as gelatin which is permeable to the processing liquid. This outer layer may also contain silver percipitating nuclei and is sufficiently transparent to permit photoexposure of the light-sensitive layer therebeneath while, at the same time, being sufiiciently opaque to provide the requisite background for a positive silver image transferred thereto and to mask the negative image formed thereunder.

The process performed with this photosensitive sheet material and the liquid is particularly useful for duplicating documents and the invention is illustrated embodied in document copying apparatus of the type disclosed in the aforementioned copending application of Richard Chen et al. The document copying apparatus embodying the invention is constructed to produce a succession of finished copies each comprising a dry sheet bearing a visible image formed by a silver halide diffusion transfer reversal process initiated by distributing a processing liquid of the type described in contact with one side of each sheet. The liquid agent employed is obviously highly corrosive and subject to changes in composition due to evaporation and aerial oxidation and for these reasons, and because the liquid is applied to one side of successive sheets at intervals of indeterminate duration, the application and storage of the liquid present special problems solved in a novel and unobvious manner by the invention.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 1 of the drawings wherein there is illustrated document copying apparatus Comprising a housing including end walls It) and 12, side walls 14, an upper wall 16 and a lower wall 16. End wall 12 comprises a component of a carriage 20 mounted for sliding movement within the housing defined by end Wall 10, side walls 14, upper wall 16 and lower wall 18. The housing is designed to provide a lighttight environment in which a light-sensitive imagerecording sheet 22 is exposed and processed, and carriage 20 may be withdrawn from the housing, as a drawer, to permit loading of expendable materials into the apparatus and/ or servicing of the apparatus.

Exposure of successive areas of sheet 22 is effected by an exposure system mounted within the housing and including a transparent window 24 in upper wall 16 near end wall and underlying the window, a transverse panel 26, side panel 28 and a lower panel 30 cooperating with end wall 10, side walls 14 and upper wall 16 to define a chamber 32 which is lighttight with respect to the remainder of the interior of the housing for containing a light source for illuminating the subject matter, e.g., a document to be copied positioned for exposure against the upper surface of window 24. The light source comprises lamps 34 mounted on lower panel 30 and arranged in two rows adjacent opposite ends of chamber 32. The lamps of each row are mounted within a tough-shaped reflector housing comprising a rear wall 36 located furthest from the center of chamber 32 and a forward wall 38 located between the lamps and the center of chamber 32. The inner surfaces of walls 36 and 38 are highly reflective and the housing functions to distribute the light from the lamps toward window 24 and prevent light from the lamps from reaching other components of the exposure system. These other components include a lens and shutter assembly 40 mounted on the under side of lower panel 30 in closing relation to an opening 42 in the lower panel located centrally with respect to the lamps. The apparatus also includes means in the form of a flexible cover 44 for retaining documents in position for exposure against the upper surface of window 24.

Carriage 20 comprises a pair of lateral supporting members 46 mounted for sliding movement, very much as a drawer, on tracks (not shown) on side walls 14 of the housing and form the base of carriage 20 as well as means for supporting the components of the apparatus which are mounted on the carriage. These components include brackets 48 for holding spool 50 of image-recording sheet 22 mounted on members 46 adjacent the upper portions thereof underlying a recessed section 52 of upper wall 16. A pair of feed rolls 54 and 56 are provided for conducting sheet 22 from spool 50 between a pair of guide members 58 and 60. Guide member 58 is in the form of a generally fiat plate at least coextensive with the area of sheet 22 to be exposed and has a surface facing sheet 22 disposed substantially at the focal surface of the lens of assembly 40 and lying in a plane parallel with the axis of the lens and perpendicular to the plane of window 24. Guide member 60 functions to retain successive sections of sheet 22 against guide memher 58 and is in the form of a generally rectangular frame for engaging portions of successive sections of sheet 22 at the margins of each area to be exposed and guiding the sheet between the guide means.

The optical system includes a mirror 62 mounted within the housing on a bracket 64 secured to lower panel 30 with the reflecting'surface of the mirror lying in a plane substantially at 45 with respect to the optic axis of the objective lens and the plane of the supporting surface of guide member 58 so that light transmitted by the lens of assembly 40 is reflected from mirror 62 at a 90 angle with respect to the lens axis toward a section of sheet 22 positioned for exposure against guide member 58 between the latter and guide member 60. For addition'al details of the exposure system herein described, reference may be had to the aforementioned copending application of Richard Chen et al.

To facilitate threading of sheet 22 between feed rolls 54 and 56, guide member 60 is pivotally mounted near its lower end and feed roll 56 is mounted on the upper portion of guide member 60. During the operation of the apparatus, a section of sheet 22 is fed downwardly by rolls 5d and 56 between guide members 58 and 60 at least until the leading edge of the sheet has passed downwardly beyond the lower edge of guide member 60 whereupon movement of the sheet is arrested with a section thereof located in position for exposure. The apparatus includes means in the form of a rotary knife 66 and anvil 68 mounted juxtaposition adjacent and below guide members 5 8 and 60 for severing successive exposed sections of sheet 22 from the remainder of the sheet. Knife 66 is mounted on support members 46 for rotation in a counterclockwise direction to sever each section of the sheet closely adjacent the lower edge of the exposed area thereof and operates against anvil 6-8. A section of sheet 22 positioned between the guide members is exposed following severance at its leading (lower) end from the preceding section of the sheet and following exposure, the exposed section is advanced downwardly by rotation of feed rolls 54 and 56 between knife 66 and anvil 68 into the bite of a second pair of feed rolls 70 and 72 positioned below knife 66. Peed rolls 70 and 72 are rotated to advance the leading edge of the sheet against the curved surface of a deflection block 74 mounted beneath the bite of rolls 70 and 72 for changing the direction of movement of the sheet and directing the sheet into the bite of a third feed roll 76, located in juxtaposition with roll 70, and roll 72. Rolls '72 and 76 function to advance the sheet in a generally horizontal plane into engagement with means for applying the processing liquid to the lower surface of the sheet.

Processing liquid is applied to one surface of each exposed section of sheet 22 by an applicator device generally designated 78 and shown in detail in FIGS. 2 through 5 of the drawings. This device comprises a container 80 formed of a material such as stainless steel which is compatible with the aqueous alkaline processing liquid, and includes a lower wall 82, upstanding end walls 84 and side walls 86 having upper sections 88 inclined toward one another and cooperating with the end walls to define a generally rectangular opening 90 in the top of container 80. The processing liquid, designated 92, is applied to the under side of sheet 22 by an applicator roll 94 mounted within container 80 and adapted to be rotated in contact with the sheet while partially immersed in the processing liquid. Because of the nature of the processing liquid, it is desirable that the processing roll be completely immersed in the liquid when not in use, and that the processing roll comprise an independent component which contacts nothing except the interior of the container and the .area of the sheet to which the liquid is applied. These requirements preclude conventionals means for mounting the applicator roll for rotation, raising the submerged roll from the liquid within container 80 during application of the liquid and then returning the roll to the liquid so that it is again submerged therein. In the apparatus of the invention, applicator roll 94 incorporates a magnetic material and is raised from the liquid within container 80 into contact with sheet 22 and retained in contact with the sheet during application of the liquid thereto by magentic means which do not come into contact with the applicator roll.

In the form shown in the drawings, applicator roll 94 comprises a core 96 formed of a magnetic material such as iron, covered with an outer mantle 98 of a material which is inert to the processing liquid. Suitable materials for the mantle include ceramics, glass and organic polymers such as polyethylene which are unaffected by highly alkaline aqueous liquids and strong reducing agents. Applicator roll 94 includes stub shafts 100 projecting from its ends and preferably formed of the same material as the mantle, engaged for rotary and vertical sliding movement in recess 102 formed in end walls 84 of container 80.

Applicator roll 94 is normally disposed in the position shown in FIG. 3 in which it rests upon lower wall 82 of the container and processing liquid 92 is provided. in the container in sufficient quantity to completely cover the applicator roll in this position. In the operation of the applicator device, sheet 22 is moved in a generally horizontal plane across opening 90 and the applicator roll is raised from the liquid to the position shown in FIG. 4 into contact with the lower surface of the sheet. The device includes means for guiding sections of sheet 22 across the opening and these include guide members 104 having L-shaped cross sections for engaging the lateral marginal portions and edges of sheet 22 to support each section at its edges in a generally horizontal plane and guide the sheet for movement in this plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the applicator roll. A backing roll. 106 is mounted above container 80 with its axis in the same plane as the axis of the applicator roll and substantially parallel with the plane of movement of sheet 22. Backing roll 106 includes an outer layer 108 formed of a material having a high coefiicient of friction and functions to hold a sheet 22 against applicator roll 94 and advance the sheet between the applicator and backing rolls during application of the processing liquid. Backing roll 106 is mounted for rotation in a substantially fixed position with its lower surface approximately tangent to the plane. of movement of the upper surface of sheet 22 across the container, and the apparatus includes means for rotating the backing roll in a clockwise direction, viewing FIGS. 3 and 4.

The invention envisages various magnetic means for raising the applicator roll from container 80 into juxtaposition with backing roll 106 and contact with the lower surface of a sheet 22. In the preferred embodiment, backing roll 106 includes a core in the form of an electromagnet 110 which may be energized to attract applicator roll 94 toward the backing roll and may be deenergized to permit the applicator roll to return under the force of gravity to the container where it is again completely submerged in the processing liquid. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, core 96 of the applicator roll may comprise a permanent magnet with the poles thereof oriented toward the ends of the roll and is raised from the container into contact with a sheet 22 by a magnet disposed below the container and having poles similarly oriented so as to repel roll 94. This external magnet disposed below and outside the container may comprise a fixed electromagnet or a permanent magnet 111 which may be moved with respect to roll 94 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that, in either case, the field of the external magnet is varied so as to selectively repel (and raise) the applicator roll or allow it to return to the container.

The container is provided with a closure for opening 90 in the form of a pair of covers 112 and 114 engaged for sliding movement at their ends in channels 116 in end walls 84. Covers 112 and 114 are constructed and mounted for movement between the closed position shown in FIG. 3 in which the container is closed, in opposite directions to an open position, shown in FIG. 4, in which applicator roll 94 is free to move upwardly between the covers into contact with sheet 22. Cover 112 is mounted for sliding movement with its upper surface in a plane raised above the plane of the upper surface of cover 114, so that cover 112 may function as a support for sheet 22 and cover 114 is disposed below and out of contact with the portion of the sheet to which the liquid has been applied during movement of the sheet relative to the covers. The adjacent edges of the covers are shaped in such a way as to interlock and form a seal for at least inhibiting the admission of air to the container, and the outer longitudinal edges of covers 112 and 114 are provided with dependent flanges 118 for engaging sealing members 120 on upper sections 88 of side walls 86 to provide seals which prevent the admission of air to the container when the covers are in a closed position.

As additional means for preventing aerial oxidation of the liquid within the container when the container is closed, the level of the liquid is maintained as closeas possible to the underside of covers 112 and 114 so as to minimize the volume of air within the container when the container is closed. For this reason and in order to maintain the level of the liquid above the applicator roll and prevent possible drying of the liquid on the roll, the apparatus includes a reservoir 122 of the processing liquid connected to the container by a conduit 124 and a valve 126. The discharge end 125 of conduit 124 is located within the container at a position such that flow of the liquid will stop when the liquid reaches the desired level. Valve 126 is provided for the purpose of preventing flow of the liquid through conduit 124 when the applicator roll is in a raised position and the liquid is, of course, below the desired level. It is also contemplated that the position of the discharge end 125 of the conduit may be such that the sup-ply of the liquid within the container will be replenished and raised to a predetermined level when the applicator roll is in a raised position there-. by eliminating the necessity for valve 126.

In the operation of the apparatus, a sheet 22 is advanced by feed rolls 72 and 76 into engagement with guide members 104 toward backing roll 106 between the latter and cover 112. A sensing device is provided in the form of a microswitch having a sensing level disposed in the path of movement of the sheet between cover 112 and backing roll 106 adapted to be engaged by the leading edge of the sheet to energize means such as solenoids for opening covers 112 and. 114 as the leading edge of the sheet approaches the center of opening 90 of the container. This same control device or another control device coupled with one of covers 112 and 114 is provided for raising applicator roll 94 from the container into engagement with the leading end portion of a sheet 22 after the covers have been opened and the sheet has been advanced into position to be engaged between the applicator and backing rolls. This last-mentioned control means may also operate to initiate the rotation of backing roll 106 which may be driven, for example, through an electrically operated clutch; or, alternatively, may be driven continuously. The apparatus includes a second microswitch having a sensing element positioned in the path of movement of the sheet between cover 112 and backing roll 106 for causing the applicator roll to be returned to the container and the covers to close as the trailing edge of a sheet 22 approaches the bite of the applicator and backing rolls. In this arrangement both microswitches may be wired in series and are of the type which are normally open and are held closed by engagement with the sheet, the second microswitch being positioned so as to be closed first by the leading edge of the sheet and opened first as the trailing edge of the sheet passes beyond it. 1

From the applicator device, a sheet 22 is passed to a system for transporting the sheet through and from the apparatus and drying the sheet during its passage through the apparatus. This transport and drying system is shown in FIGURE 1 and comprises an endless web ported between two shafts 134 and 136, the former being located closely adjacent the ends of guide members 104 above the plane of movement of the sheet supported on the guide members; and shaft 136 is located above shaft 134 closer to end wall 12 so that the section of web 132 extending between the shafts faces end wall 12 and downwardly at an angle with respect to the vertical, as represented by end wall 12. A pair of discs 138 are mounted 132 supin juxtaposition with shafts 134 in position to engage the lateral margins of a sheet 22 to guide the sheet into superposition with web 132 as the sheet moves from engagement with guide members 104.

Each sheet 22 is supported against web 132 and dried by heated air blown against the sheet and for this purpose the apparatus includes a blower 140, a duct 142 coupled with the blower, a heater 144 mounted within the duct and a plurality of bafiies 146 mounted within ducts 142 for directing air, propelled by blower 140 and heated by heater 144, against a sheet supported on the web in a direction generally normal to the plane of the sheet. A filter 148 is provided for removing dust and dirt from the air, and the air is propelled against the sheet with sufiicient velocity to retain the sheet in frictional engagement with the web so that the sheet is carried upwardl by the web during drying.

Each sheet 22 is transported from web 132, on which it is dried, upwardly through an opening 150 in recessed section 52 of upper wall 16 by a transport system including a pair of webs 152 and 154 having sections disposed in face-to-face relation and supported at their lower ends on, respectively, juxtaposed shafts 156 and 158 and at their upper ends on, respectively, shafts 160 and 162; Shafts 156 and 158 are located adjacent and above shafts 136 so that the bite of the adjacent sections of webs 152 and 154 where the webs move between shafts 156 and 158, is substantially at the plane of movement of a sheet supported on web 132 and the leading edge of the sheet is engaged between webs 152 and 154 to be carried upwardly and fed thereby through opening 150. Web 132, where it extends around shaft 136, is positioned in frictional engagement with Web 152 where the latter extends around shaft 156, so that movement of the three webs at the same speed is assured and only shaft 136 need be driven.

The apparatus includes a drive and control system substantially as shown and described in the aforementioned application of Chen et al., and this system generally includes controls for the exposure device, means for sensing the positions of sections of sheet 22 for controlling the operation of feed rolls 54 and 56 and knife 66 and coordinating the operation of the exposure system with the processing system. The drive mechanism includes a motor and a transmission means coupled with the motor for operating the feed rolls, knife, transport webs and applicator device.

The operation of the apparatus is substantially automatic and enables the production of a large number of copies of documents with materials comprising a sheet and a supply of the processing liquid loaded at the same time into the apparatus. The sheet material is supplied on a spool as described, and reservoir 122 may, in the preferred embodiment, be expendable so that the supply of the processing liquid is replenished merely by loading a new reservoir into the apparatus and coupling it with conduit 124. The construction of the liquid applicator is such that the liquid is confined to the applicator and, of course, the reservoir, conduit and valve, and does not come into contact with any other part of the apparatus; and because the liquid is confined in a substantially air tight container which is opened only for limited periods, the liquid is subject to little or no deterioration and does not require frequent replenishment. The operation of the applicator, like the operation of the other components of the apparatus, is automatic, and the applicator itself requires little or no care and servicing to maintain it in proper operating condition.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is: i

1. The photographic apparatus in which successlve areas of photosensitive sheet material are exposed and treated with a liquid, an applicator for applying said liquid to said areas of said sheet comprising, in combination:

a container having an opening at its top;

a closure for said opening movable between open and closed positions;

a first roll, including a magnetic material, engaged for rotation about its axis within said container;

a quantity of said liquid within said container sufficient to cover said roll; said roll being engaged within said container for movement vertically to a raised position in which a longitudinal portion of the periphery of said roll projects from said container through said opening; I

a second roll mounted above said container for rotation about an axis in substantially the same plane as said axis of said first roll; and

magnetic means located outside of said container for acting magnetically upon said first roll to raise said first roll partially from said liquid into juxtaposition with said second roll and engagement with said sheet disposed between said rolls.

2. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for rotating said second roll to advance said sheet in contact with said first roll and thereby to rotate said first roll to transfer said liquid from said first roll to said sheet.

3. The photographic apparatus of claim 2 in which said electromagnet is covered with an outer layer of a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction.

4. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said second roll includes an electromagnet.

5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said first roll includes a permanent magnet and said magnetic means include a magnet having a magnetic field which can be varied.

6. The photographic apparatus of claim 5 in which the last-mentioned magnet is an electromagnet.

7. The photographic apparatus of claim 5 in which the last-mentioned magnet is a permanent magnet mounted for movement with respect to said container.

8. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said first roll is formed of a material substantially inert to aqueous alkaline liquids and includes an axial core formed of a magnetic material.

9. The photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 including guide members mounted on said container adjacent the ends of said opening for engaging the lateral edges of said sheet and guiding said sheet between said rolls across said opening.

10. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a reservoir of said liquid coupled with said container by means for maintaining the level of said liquid within said container above said first roll.

11. Apparatus for applying a liquid to a succession of areas of photographic sheet material comprising, in combination:

a container having an opening in the upper portion thereof;

a closure for said opening movable between a closed position and an open position;

a first roll including a magnetic material engaged for rotation about its axis within said container;

a quantity of said liquid within said container suificient to cover said roll;

said roll being engaged within said container for movement vertically from a position in which said roll is completely immersed in said liquid to a raised position in which a longitudinal portion of the periphery of said roll projects from said container through said opening;

a second roll including an electromagnet mounted above said container adjacent said closure with the axis of said second noll located in substantially the same plane as said axis of said first roll;

means for advancing an area of said sheet material between said second roll and said closure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rolls;

means for moving said closure to said open position and energizing said electromagnet to attract said first roll toward said second roll into said raised position in engagement with a transverse portion of said area of said sheet material between said rolls; and

means for rotating said second roll for advancing said sheet relative to, between and in engagement with said rolls, to transfer said liquid from said container to said area of said sheet by Way of said second roll partially immersed in said liquid.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which said first roll is formed of a material substantially inert to aqueous, alkaline liquids, and includes an axial core formed of a 10 magnetic material, and said second roll comprises said electromagnet covered with an outer layer of material having a relatively high coefficient of friction.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 including a reservoir of said liquid coupled with said container by means for maintaining the level of said liquid within said container above said first roll and closely adjacent the underside of said closure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,190,205 6/1965 Baumb-ach 95-89 3,196,784 7/1965 Kraft 101-23 FOREIGN PATENTS 711,153 6/1931 France. 1,166,523 3/ 1964 Germany.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner. C. B. PRICE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. THE PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS IN WHICH SUCCESSIVE AREAS OF PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET MATERIAL ARE EXPOSED AND TREATED WITH A LIQUID, AN APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING SAID LIQUID TO SAID AREAS OF SAID SHEET COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A CONTAINER HAVING AN OPENING AT ITS TOP;; A CLOSURE FOR SAID OPENING MOVABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS; A FIRST ROLL, INCLUDING A MAGNETIC MATERIAL, ENGAGED FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS AXIS WITHIN SAID CONTAINER; A QUANTITY OF SAID LIQUID WITHIN SAID CONTAINER SUFFICIENT TO COVER SAID ROLL; SAID ROLL BEING ENGAGED WITHIN SAID CONTAINER FOR MOVEMENT VERTICALLY TO A RAISED POSITION IN WHICH A LONGITUDINAL PORTION OF THE PERIPHERY OF SAID ROLL PROJECTS FROM SAID CONTAINER THROUGH SAID OPENING; A SECOND ROLL MOUNTED ABOVE SAID CONTAINER FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PLANE AS SAID AXIS OF SAID FIRST ROLL; AND MAGNETIC MEANS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF SAID CONTAINER FOR ACTING MAGNETICALLY UPON SAID FIRST ROLL TO RAISE SAID FIRST ROLL PARTIALLY FROM SAID LIQUID INTO JUXTAPOSITION WITH SAID SECOND ROLL AND ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SHEET DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID ROLLS. 